Ruler, Guardian, and Guide
Yesterday during our YouTube service, Ray led us in “God of our Fathers.” On July 4, 1876, Brandon, Vermont, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Episcopal priest Daniel C. Roberts wrote this hymn for that celebration.
Roberts was a Union veteran of the Civil War. He became an Episcopal priest after the war and served Episcopal congregations in Vermont and Massachusetts. He also served several years as the president of the New Hampshire State Historical Society.
Roberts’ words are a powerful prayer for our nation in 2020.
God of Our Fathers
Daniel C. Roberts, 1876
God of our fathers, whose Almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
In this free land with Thee our lot is cast;
Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy path our chosen way.
From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase;
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way;
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.
While doing research about Yellowstone National Park, I found this wonderful photograph of Castle Geyser and the Milky Way. It is a beautiful picture of how our Father’s Almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band.
He who made the Pleiades and Orion
And changes deep darkness into morning,
Who also darkens day into night,
Who calls for the waters of the sea
And pours them out on the surface of the earth,
The Lord is His name.
Amos 5:8